Abstract

This paper looks at the historical aspect of self-awareness. It claims that we relate to ourselves as members of historical communities to which we belong as members. It examines the narrative character of selfhood and self-awareness, intersubjectivity and we-intentionality, and historical temporality. Historical self-awareness means that I am aware of myself as a member of a social entity that has a history. The latter is composed of other persons with whom I share a common subjectivity, one that is expressed when I say “we.”